147 Viking River Viking Tor Cruise Reviews

Our first river cruise and it was certainly our LAST with Viking. Our trip started off on the wrong foot with awful flight arrangements by Viking on Air Canada. Our original flight was cancelled and it took over 3 hours and 2 re-bookings ... Read More

Our first river cruise and it was certainly our LAST with Viking. Our trip started off on the wrong foot with awful flight arrangements by Viking on Air Canada. Our original flight was cancelled and it took over 3 hours and 2 re-bookings to make new flight arrangements (first rebooking did not have enough time catching a connecting flight). Next, Viking staff was not at the airport to transfer us to the boat even though we provided the 800# and emailed the ship of our new flight arrangements. The trip turned into a river/bus trip due to Danube water levels. We had a ship swap - Viking Tor hands down a better experience than Viking Var. Var staff not as friendly and did not have enough staff. Food on both boats was average. Our flight arrangements home was another terrible experience again with Air Canada (Rouge). Overall we had a nice time and enjoyed our trip as we were with good friends and made the most of it. But the Viking customer experience was poor and we did not feel valued as customers. We will take our future business elsewhere. Read Less

I give this a 3 for neutral...
This was a bucket list trip for us. We chose this trip so that we could get a taste of the cities that are advertised on this journey. There were many wonderful things we saw but most of all made great ... Read More

I give this a 3 for neutral...
This was a bucket list trip for us. We chose this trip so that we could get a taste of the cities that are advertised on this journey. There were many wonderful things we saw but most of all made great friends along the way...
Before embarkation, we chose the Viking Prague extension on the front end of the trip. We flew business class so upon arriving in Prague we were able to get through Customs in 10 minutes. We were greeted by a Viking representative but told we would have to wait for the other 6 couples that were going though customs. After an hour and a half of waiting, we chose to take a cab to the hotel instead.
Upon arrival, around 11 am, we quickly received our room keys.
The hotel is ok. For us, we are in our late 40's, the almost mile walk into the city center is not an issue for us, but the majority of the guests are well into their 60's and I could see it being prohibitive for them to easily enjoy the sites unless you take a cab. We walked back and forth and got a good bit of exercize in prior to our cruise.
The excursions in Prague were ok. The walking tours will give you the highlights of the city you are visiting so you can check off the main attractions. (they bus you from the hotel into the city) We opted for the Panoramic Prague and Kutna Hora (approx 1.5 hour bus ride).
After day 3 we left for our ship which was in Nuremburg and it is a 3.5 hour bus ride from Prague. This was to be expected.
Our first crew on the Tor was fantastic, unfortunately we had to change boats due to low water levels, and the second crew on the Var was simply awful. Viking should spend some time training them on customer service.
Life on the boat - we had a suite and it was great! Bed is not as comfortable as the advertisement but to be expected. Shower and storage were good. No complaints.
The food was good - not fabulous but good - the service was excellent!
The problem: We knew there was a possibility of the river levels being low - we had no idea how badly this would affect our trip. We spent the majority of the time on busses.
Basically we made it down the river to about Regensburg without hickups and then it went south from there...
If you think that you are going to take the boat to a port where you can walk out of the boat into town, think again. We didn't ended up in the ports that we were suppose to and had to be bussed at least 1.5 hours away to the city center. 3 - 6 hours of your day are on a bus if you just take a city excursion. If you opt for Salzburg or some of the other trips then it could be 3 hours one way. This can be very discouraging.
Here is how our trip went due to the low water levels:
Saturday, July 28 - NUREMBURG
Docked in a remote location outside of Nuremburg. Took a bus for the World War 2 Tour
Sunday - July 29 - REGENSBURG
We were not able to go on the Weltenburg Abbey and Danube Narrows trip because of water levels so took the walking tour.
Monday - July 30 - STRAUBING (Suppose to be in Passau)
Water levels were low so we ended up in Straubing. No tours in Straubing only Passau, so we bussed 1.5 hours into Passau. 3 hours in buses.
We took the walking tour and the organ concert excursion and had lunch in Passau for some local food. We missed the Salzburg Highlights tour because it required longer bus rides and we wanted to see Passau which was a highlighted stop on the cruise.
Tuesday, July 31 - YBBS - Transferred from Straubing to Ybbs - 3 hour bus ride AND the boat wasn’t there, stranded for another 1.5 hours. The unfortunate part other than being stranded was the entire city was shut down so we did not have anywhere to go. Many of us had to use the restroom so we found some small bicycle museum, gave them a donation and used the restroom! Remember, the majority of the guests were over 60....Thankfully, we grabbed the small bottles of wine from our suite and found a shady tree until our boat arrived.
We were suppose to be docked in Krems - which I wanted to see - but we missed it... We did not go on the Gotweig Abbey tour because we wanted to actually cruise the Wachau Valley and not be on a bus.
Wednesday - August 1 - VIENNA
We bussed into Vienna from the port because you couldn't walk off the boat into Vienna. We took the walking tour and the bus came back to the boat around 12:30 p.m. We didn't go to the Mozart Concert because we would have to get on another bus into the city and we would have missed the sailing from Vienna to Komaron. (which was suppose to be Budapest) Another missed excursion.
Missed the Danube Bend scenic cruising.
Thursday - August 2 - Komaron
Coulent make it into Budapest so we docked in Komaron.
We missed the Budapest Castle Hill City Hike because the bus ride was 1.5 hours long to Budapest.
Friday - August 3
Transfered to Budapest - 1.5 hour bus ride
Budapest Extension: The Interncontinental was GREAT! We paid for an upgrade so that we could view the river from our room and the location was perfect. Sadly, there were river boats that were right in front of the hotel which was a daily reminder of how we missed that part of our cruise.
Shopping and local restaurants: There was never enough time in the city for free time to shop or enjoy local restaurants. Don't bother looking up restaurants in the port cities because you would not have time to eat there. We did the tour and then got back on the bus back to the ship - in Vienna we had 1 hour of free time. The ports we were in were in an industrial area so it was difficult to get to any sign of life so we stayed on the boat.
At the end of the trip our cruise director said we would be receiving a call from Viking to rectify some of the mishaps of the trip. I am fully aware Viking could not control the water levels, however, 1) they probably should not offer this cruise during the late summer months when the probability of low water levels are high. 2) They should better communicate the locations of the ports to the city center in their promotional material. 3) Communicate how far the excursions are and the length of the bus rides prior to signing up. 4) Allow more free time. Read Less

We planned to sail from Nurenburg to Budapest on 27.07.18
I chose Viking cruises as i believed that they were of superior quality and thought they would be a good experience, little did i know.....
I am appalled at the lack of ... Read More

We planned to sail from Nurenburg to Budapest on 27.07.18
I chose Viking cruises as i believed that they were of superior quality and thought they would be a good experience, little did i know.....
I am appalled at the lack of transparency Viking has given and continues to give its customers in respect of the water levels on the Danube that adversely affects Vikings ability to navigate the route as described in the itinery. From what I have since learnt low water levels on the Danube are not unusual at this time of year yet your company continues to offer holidays knowing that they are unable to fulfil the expectation of their customers.
We received an e-mail from Viking on 25th July 2018 that stated:
“This message is to let you know that the Danube River is currently experiencing unusually low water levels that may impact your itinerary.
When the water levels are too low, navigation on the river is restricted, making it impossible to sail through the affected areas. While you will still embark your original ship, Viking Tor, Viking operates identical ships traveling in opposite directions along the river so that we can execute what we call a ship swap part way through your itinerary. In these instances, you will be transferred by coach from your original ship to an identical sister ship, Viking Var, stationed further along the river so that you can resume your itinerary with minimal impact.
Exact details are not available at this point, but our nautical department, which monitors all the rivers we sail on, will update your Captain during your cruise if it becomes necessary to enact the mid cruise ship swap. Your Program Director will in turn inform you of any program changes we need to make as a result.
We are confident that you will enjoy your journey with us whether the mid cruise swap takes place or not, but wanted to make you aware of the circumstances as soon as we ourselves learned”
I question the fact that Viking “were not aware of the exact details at this point”as I understand that the river has been low for quite a while now and on perusal of the weather forecast, it wouldn’t take a genius to realise that the cruise was going to be affected massively. If we read the other reviews written about Viking TOR July 2018 you will see that Viking were already experiencing problems.
I have an elderly distant relative who in her working life worked for a cruise company on
What concerned me further was what was witnessed at the end of our holiday.The Viking representatives , were in my opinion being minimal with the truth with the new arrivals and again were not being transparent in that their cruise was not going to be as expected. I heard them say that they were awaiting an update and they will let the new arrivals know accordingly.
This was exactly how we were treated. We were “ drip fed” the bad news throughout the holiday when staff knew full well that the cruise was not going to happen as promised.On the Passau trip the guide said that it will take 8 days of heavy rain for the rivers to regain a level to allow the boats to navigate. You only have to peruse the weather forecast to see that this is nowhere to be seen on the horizon.
A resume of our holiday is as follows:
I consider that the holiday started well, visiting Nurenburg and Resenburg,
At this stage we knew there was a potential problem of the river levels being low and that there was a possibility of a ship swop as per email - we had no idea how badly this would affect our trip and that this was not going to be the only hitch, we spent the majority of the time on busses.
Our first crew on the Tor were fantastic,however the second crew on the Var were not as attentive.
The food was good - not fabulous but good – aside from the Bavarian sausage night which was awful.
The bottom sheet used on our bed on Var had a large hole, I didn’t bother to inform staff as I felt quite sorry for them, it must be horrendous for them having to work under these circumstances, I think this can be seen in the lack of attentiveness we received from the staff on the second ship, they all must be very tired.
Monday - July 30 - STRAUBING (Supposed to be in Passau)
Water levels were low so we ended up in Straubing. No tours in Straubing only Passau, so we were bussed 1.5 hours into Passau. 3 hours in total on coaches.
Tuesday, July 31 - YBBS – On the Tuesday we were transferred from Straubing to Ybbs on a 3 hour coach ride. Upon our arrival at the dock we found that the boat wasn’t there as expected but was advised by the Tour Director that the boat was just on the other side of the lock.We were left stranded for another 1.5 hours on the dock side in the blistering heat.We arrived in YBBS around 1pm so was expecting lunch at this time. My husband is diabetic and so timing meal times is crucial for him. We eventually received “lunch” at 3.30pm when we embarked onto our new boat with dinner a few hours later. The unfortunate part other than being stranded was the entire town was shut down so we did not have anywhere to go, nor could we access any food/drinks ourselves. There were no toilet facilities to be found, only the toilets on the coach which were undesirable as you can imagine in the heat.
The only positive I can say about this day was the fact that we had around 2.5 hours of scenic cruising along the Wachau Valley.
We were however supposed to be docked in Krems which I wanted to see but due to being on coaches for the majority of the time we were unable to dock, we just sailed right past. We missed the Gotweig Abbey Tour so that we could actually cruise the Wachau Valley. Whilst I am disappointed that we missed the Abbey as it did look stunning, the decision we made led us to experience the only 2.5 hours of “Quality cruising” of the entire cruise with commentary from the cruise director. Having been on numerous other river and Ocean cruises I knew what to expect and so feel let down that we didn’t get what we paid for A RIVER CRUISE!
Wednesday - August 1 - VIENNA
Due to being docked outside of the scheduled area we were again put on the coach for another 1.5 hours into Vienna. We then set sail from Vienna to Komaron.
Thursday - August 2 - Komaron
We were supposed to be sailing to Budapest on this day but instead was taken to Komaron, two places that couldn’t be more poles apart (see attached photos) Due to the boat not sailing we missed the Danube Bend scenic cruising highlighted aa a special moment of the cruise. We were taken into Budepest by coach, again another 1.5 hours journey each way.
Friday - August 3
On the Friday we were transferred to Budapest, another 1.5 hour coach ride.
This for us was the highlight of the holiday. The Inter-Continental Hotel was GREAT! We paid privately for a dinner and cruise evening so we did get to cruise around Budepest, no thanks to Viking!
I think it should also be pointed out that being transferred by coach led to us having to get up early each morning. It also took away the ability to make choices for what we chose to do for example, if you are moored in a main town/city you can get on and off the boat as you wish, go back to the boat for a rest when you choose. Being placed so far away from the main areas it would be impossible to do anything independently.
At the end of the trip our Cruise Director said we would be receiving a call from Viking to make reparation for our disappointment. The holiday felt more like a coach tour than a cruise, and considering the cost I would have been better off considering city breaks that would have been far better organised and a lot cheaper!
I am fully aware Viking could not control the water levels, however:
1) I am of the opinion that they should not offer this cruise during the late summer months when the probability of low water levels are high and not unusual. People have travelled from all over the world to “Cruise the Romantic Danube” There is nothing remotely romantic about being herded on and off coaches.
2) Viking should better communicate and be transparent about the difficulties, the locations and distances of the ports to the city centres and be open and honest from the start as to how this would impact on our holiday.
3) I also begrudge having to spend my time penning a complaint when I should be resting as I continue to be on annual leave, I work full time and so my spare time is very precious!
My husband and I are approaching retirement age and so hopefully have many more cruising holidays to look forward to in the future.
Would we consider cruising with Viking again, I would say no.
Would we recommend Viking? Again I would say no.
Do we trust that Viking can deliver, NO.
Viking, in my opinion lack any integrity. Read Less

I had extensively researched river cruises to determine if there would be one right for my husband and me. We are both 54 and, quite honestly, fairly active people. Although I was aware the average age was much higher, the draw for me was ... Read More

I had extensively researched river cruises to determine if there would be one right for my husband and me. We are both 54 and, quite honestly, fairly active people. Although I was aware the average age was much higher, the draw for me was the ability to see several countries without the hassle of packing and unpacking in different cities. I wanted something easy that didn’t require much thought. Even though I had read about the low and high water levels, and the possibility of there being some itinerary changes along the way, I still chose to book with Viking. There are many negative reviews regarding these itinerary changes but it often appears that people have not done their research ahead of time. If you know the possibility exists, you’re more apt to be able to “go with the flow” so to speak. In our family, our motto has always been, “it’s not really an adventure until you make your first u-turn”. As a result, we tend to fall in the “go with the flow” kind of crowd.
You can probably guess that this particular cruise required us to go with the flow. We chose the Romantic Danube cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. After a great trip from Budapest to Passau, we received the one of the worst possible outcomes due to low water levels - not that we would be packing up and transferring to another ship, but that there were no remaining Viking ships available to transfer to further up the river. The last Viking ship had made it through the day before, otherwise we could have traded with them. As a result, at Passau, our boat was docked in a not so picturesque location for the last couple of days – in fact there were 3 Viking ships docked side by side. We were then transported each day to the last remaining excursion points – Regensburg and Nuremberg (Viking actually switched these two days – Nuremberg and then Regensburg). Some chose to stay behind and were allowed to return to Passau to spend the day. We travelled 3 hours by coach to Nuremberg. I enjoyed the scenery and my husband enjoyed the nap. Unfortunately, our day was shortened but we enjoyed lunch followed by the World War II excursion. We missed out on walking around Nuremberg but enjoyed the excursion. Two couples chose to end the cruise at that time – one due to health concerns with the traveling, one because “we paid for a river cruise”. Believe me, we were privy to this couple’s unhappiness as we returned to Passau.
Honestly, I’d do this again even if I knew how the last couple days would go. I would have booked the pre-extension in Budapest. Coming from Washington state, we did not arrive until 6:00 pm, just in time for the port talk and dinner. We missed out on exploring Budapest as the Panoramic Budapest tour was a drive through both sides on a Saturday morning - no traffic to slow us down - to view the buildings or take in one of the thermal baths.We enjoyed the Vienna "Up Close and Personal" excursion that was later added, allowing us to learn how to use the subway so we could continue to explore after the tour and return easily to the ship.We booked several optional excursions (1)The Heurigan Dinner was fun especially given the company we had to spend it with. (2) The Biking Tour at Krems to Durnstein and back was our favorite excursion, biking through vineyards and small towns and allowing us to explore the charming village of Durnstein. (3) Bavarian Beerfest - more than we expected, this was held on a farm where we received a tour of the facilities, ending with the tapping of the keg, pretzels, meats, spreads, and entertainment; (4) World War II - toured Courtroom 600 and then traveled to Zeppelin Field and the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rallying Grounds Museum- just wish we had had more time.
We did add the post extension to Prague. Highly recommend. We loved both the Panoramic Prague and Kutna Hora excursions. Lots and lots of time to explore. Just be sure to bring super comfy shoes!
We exchanged information with some wonderful people (meeting them and learning about their personal travels was one of the best parts of the trip) and saw some truly beautiful places. No regrets! Read Less

Firstly I would like to say this is one of the best holidays we have been on.
The staff, ship and destinations were exactly as described and totally met our expectations.
The down side was that a few days before we left we received ... Read More

Firstly I would like to say this is one of the best holidays we have been on.
The staff, ship and destinations were exactly as described and totally met our expectations.
The down side was that a few days before we left we received an email to say that part way through our sail we may have to disembark due to low water of the Danube. We weren’t over the moon about the prospect of changing ships but as I had already done some research on the cruises before we booked I understood that this could happen should water levels drop.
On day four we arrived in Passau expecting to spend the morning in the City and return to the ship to set sail at 3pm. On our return at lunch we received an announcement that we wouldn’t be sailing until at least 6pm and that they would keep us informed.
The outcome is that a decision was not made by Viking until it was too late to carry on our journey on the river - the water levels were now too low! Mistakes happen but when you have already been told that you might have to change ship I will never understand why they back tracked and we didn’t have an option to change with the sister ship sailing towards us.
When we we told - we were so disappointed as I personally had never felt so relaxed on holiday. For the remaining part of the holiday we were coached to Nuremberg & Regensburg (Nuremberg is a 6 hour round trip) - we finished the holiday exhausted.
Would I do a river cruise again? Absolutely but would choose to go in May and be constantly checking river levels.
Viking you were spot on with many things and have amazing ships & staff but when you have booked a cruise with a French balcony you expect to cruise and also have a lovely view ... our view for three days was of the other boats docked in the same area - we had lost any privacy & stunning views.
Whoever was responsible for making the decisions on this particular sailing should put themselves in the customers place and invest a lot of money on a holiday to end up on a coach tour - such a shame. Read Less

What a wonderful experience! From first setting foot on the ship we were treated like royalty! Everything we needed and could have possibly wanted was provided by an amazing staff with a smile and friendliness we have never experienced on ... Read More

What a wonderful experience! From first setting foot on the ship we were treated like royalty! Everything we needed and could have possibly wanted was provided by an amazing staff with a smile and friendliness we have never experienced on vacation before! The itinerary took us to places that other vacationers most likely never see—particularly through relationships with local people of the communities that helped us to understand their culture, history and lifestyle in addition to the sights. What a gift! The excursion offerings were varied and interesting—not the typical tourist destinations! We were able to see and experience everything from working monasteries to a private Bavarian horse farm! The balance of tours and personal time in each port was perfect as we could do some exploring on our own after we learned about the community. We even watched the World Cup with locals in a German pub! On board ship, the education programs each day helped us to prepare for the next port, so we better understood the areas we were seeing. The staff made you feel like you were friends (not clients), and some of our best memories are of conversations with the staff at dinner or in the lounge area. The food was amazing and really highlighted and reinforced the culinary favorites of the areas we were in. I also have food allergies, and I have never in my life been accommodated in the manner I was on this cruise! My menu was specially prepared each day and was similar to the meals offered to others, just specially prepared. I had no problems or worries! What a gift! While underway the entertainment was memorable! Because of the small number of passengers on the river cruise ships, along with the welcoming personalities of the staff and entertainers, we were able to get to know and build positive relationships with the majority of the people on the ship! It was fun dancing, singing, and sharing stories with our fellow travelers from all over the world each night! We most definitely would take another Viking River Cruise, and given the number of people on the cruise we met who had been on multiple Viking trips, it appears to be how most people feel! Read Less

We truly enjoyed our voyage. This was our first river cruise but won't be our last. The smaller size of the ship was perfect - 180-190 passengers instead of thousands on an ocean cruise. Food and service were outstanding; our ... Read More

We truly enjoyed our voyage. This was our first river cruise but won't be our last. The smaller size of the ship was perfect - 180-190 passengers instead of thousands on an ocean cruise. Food and service were outstanding; our housekeeper and her colleagues even helped us celebrate our anniversary (tho a bit early but that was fine).
Every meal appealed to us. We made good use of the Silver Spirits beverage package. Enjoyed learning more about the ship, appreciated the captain's description of his job during our tour of the bridge, the kitchen tour and the program director's evening talks.
Almost every off-ship event ran right on time. Most of the tour guides were excellent as was the subject matter. Some ports of call began to get redundant - how many old churches does one need to see?
We met some very nice people, many fellow Americans but also quite a few Canadians, Brits, Scots etc.
We will do this again. Read Less

Often when you look forward too much to a trip it doesn't live you to your expectations. This cruise more than met my high bar - it was exceptional. I can't think of anything I would change other than the fact that we tried to ... Read More

Often when you look forward too much to a trip it doesn't live you to your expectations. This cruise more than met my high bar - it was exceptional. I can't think of anything I would change other than the fact that we tried to pack too much into our trip and didn't let ourselves just ENJOY the experience. Take a little time, don't over schedule, let the beauty of this part of the world just soak in.
The cruise staff was fantastic, our cabin well appointed, we especially enjoyed the dining area on the front deck - not always eating in the main dining room. Our guides on our excursions were extremely knowledgeable and open about the past these countries have had to endure. I have been to Germany many times and this is the first time I have heard them discuss their past openly.
I can't recommend anything more highly than this river cruise. Read Less

Initially I chose this cruise because of the 2 for 1 deal. But after experiencing Viking, I would choose it even at full price. It was that good. Although, I hope I won't have to. My family and I are already planning the next ... Read More

Initially I chose this cruise because of the 2 for 1 deal. But after experiencing Viking, I would choose it even at full price. It was that good. Although, I hope I won't have to. My family and I are already planning the next cruise. Although the next time we will be taking a bigger family group with us. Everything from the fine dining on the ship, to the shore excursions, shopping, sights, sounds, history and the local cuisine as well was almost too much to take in for what seemed like too short of a time. We made new friends, played games on board, and truly wanted for nothing. The ships crew were all very professional and personal at the same time. We had an extra special treat too, it was the 1st voyage for our Captain with his OWN ship. He expertly got us through 26 locks and safely to each destination. If you haven't taken a Viking cruise yet and are reading this review, I hope it truly encourages you to take the plunge. You will NOT be disappointed. Read Less

Never have I ever been on a vacation where everything went as expected and then some. From the days we booked in Budapest before our cruise to time we spent onboard, it was a first rate experience. The crew made us feel as though we were a ... Read More

Never have I ever been on a vacation where everything went as expected and then some. From the days we booked in Budapest before our cruise to time we spent onboard, it was a first rate experience. The crew made us feel as though we were a priority. At first the attention was a bit overwhelming to a mom who is not used to being pampered... but after many reassurances, from the crew that this was how it was going to be, I settled in to the “royal” treatment. The gourmet meals, the shore tours, the entertainment, the cabin care were exceptional. Our meals were more than just eating delicious foods. Every time we sat down we were not only fed but also entertained by our waiters. This experience was probably one of the best vacations we ever took - that impression has us anxious to book our next cruise. Read Less

My sister and I researched cruises and we decided on the Danube cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. Best decision we ever made - the ship was clean, food was great, staff was top notch. The land tours were great and all tour guides were ... Read More

My sister and I researched cruises and we decided on the Danube cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. Best decision we ever made - the ship was clean, food was great, staff was top notch. The land tours were great and all tour guides were well informed and entertaining. I would highly recommend Viking cruises. Embarkation was smooth and quick; there were only 192 passengers on the ship so it was more intimate. Food was great and the other passengers were friendly and welcoming. We met many wonderful people and spent most of our meals with them. The deck at front of the ship was a great place to enjoy the weather and view the beautiful scenery. The entertainment in the evening was fun but was not over the top. The bartenders and wait staff were always friendly and attentive. I cannot say enough of how great this cruise was. We had a wonderful time. Read Less

We heard wonderful things about Viking River Cruises and set reservations a year in advance. This was our 22nd Anniversary and 'Romantic Danube' was definitely appropriate!
Everything we heard about Viking was true and even ... Read More

We heard wonderful things about Viking River Cruises and set reservations a year in advance. This was our 22nd Anniversary and 'Romantic Danube' was definitely appropriate!
Everything we heard about Viking was true and even BETTER!. We have been fortunate to travel extensively in our lives and our expectations were SURPASSED in every category. It started when we received our personalized printed itinerary, long before the trip began..
Every step of the way, our complete satisfaction was the goal of all Viking reps. We spent 2 extra days in Budapest prior to embarkation and loved it.
We were met at the airport (all airline accommodations were handled by Viking and were superb) by Viking staff and then delivered to new Viking staff in our 5 star hotel across the street from the Danube. Even our mini-excursions in Budapest prior to sailing were handled by Viking and were excellent.
The ship was beautiful and 1st class in every way. Be warned, this is not a cruise for those on a diet...the food was outstanding and endless. We had the opportunity to meet wonderful new friends at every dining opportunity and share our travel stories and our appreciation for the quality of the Viking Cruise Experience.
There were lots of educational talks and meet and greets on board with captain and cruise director in addition to the complementary site seeing tours at EVERY port. Always clearly spoken tour guides that made each stop along the Danube come alive.
I was in the customer service industry for 50 years before retiring and have to complement Viking for the genuine commitment to outstanding customer service at every conceiveable opportunity throughout the entire experience.
We are definitely spoiled and look forward to our next Viking experience.
Bob/Lise Welton Read Less

Friends who had been with Viking on a river cruise invited us to join them. Although we have traveled by air and ground transportation extensively through the years, it was our very first cruise experience on any size vessel. This ... Read More

Friends who had been with Viking on a river cruise invited us to join them. Although we have traveled by air and ground transportation extensively through the years, it was our very first cruise experience on any size vessel. This experience has convinced us that a river cruise is the ONLY way to go! Every aspect of our Viking River Cruise experience was PERFECT....from the informative materials received beforehand, the initial procedures going onto the TOR..limited number of fellow passengers....every activity for the next eight days...the planning and execution were flawless! The variety of meal services, too, was a most welcome extra. Without exception, every single member of the ship's staff...from the Captain all the way down to the lowest ranking dining room waiter or member of the housekeeping staff...ALL were delightfully friendly and efficient. At the various towns where the ship stopped, local inhabitants and guides were provided who were attractive, entertaining and exceptionally well-prepared to provide fascinating information and stories about the town being visited. Several onboard presentations were also very entertaining. Two presentations, in particular, were EXCELLENT: (1) a lesson on how to prepare an apfel strudel...and (2) a talk given by a young woman on "What Germans are Like." In absolutely every respect, the Viking River Cruise was the experience of a lifetime...restful...educational...source of new friendships and memories. Read Less

Friends suggested starting in Budapest. Actually we stayed in an Airbnb for 4 days in Budapest prior to boarding. We fell in love with Budapest; enjoying every minute we were there! On to the cruise. BTY this was my first cruise and ... Read More

Friends suggested starting in Budapest. Actually we stayed in an Airbnb for 4 days in Budapest prior to boarding. We fell in love with Budapest; enjoying every minute we were there! On to the cruise. BTY this was my first cruise and I'm in my 60's. We found the accommodations, while small, expertly laid out and comfortable! Bear in mind, we are used to sailing a 43' sailboat. The room was clean upon arrival and cleaned daily. Good job to the housekeeping staff! In fact all the staff were absolutely fantastic; friendly and professional! The dinning was very good, providing sufficient choices to keep my wife and I happy. Having been told that I can be a little picky, I can say without reservation there was nothing I found to complain about! I would suggest if you take a river cruise, get a room with a balcony; we did and I think any room without, would seem claustrophobic. Anyway, sitting on the balcony with a cup of coffee or drink, watching the scenic view pass by was amazing! This is a great way to experience Europe in comfort! Read Less

This early springtime cruise was incredibly affordably priced when we booked for six couples to sail. We were treated with superb service in every way: rooms were beautifully cleaned each day, meals were delicious and some of our group ... Read More

This early springtime cruise was incredibly affordably priced when we booked for six couples to sail. We were treated with superb service in every way: rooms were beautifully cleaned each day, meals were delicious and some of our group sat together for meals while others chose other tables to meet more like-minded river cruisers, the onboard entertainments were fun for our group to join in, and the absolute care and attention given to the tours at all ports of call is what makes a Viking River Cruise the best experience possible.
My husband and I especially appreciate the fact that VRC includes all drinks during meals in package price. We do not drink much, so it is fine to have one or two drinks a day for us. We have fun with friends-both old and new ones-during the evenings without extra alcohol. We have been on two VRC cruises (Rhine in 2013) and have not spent any extra money on drinks.
The tour guides are always very fluent in English. They are also very familiar with the city you are visiting that day. So, when we ask for extra information or reccommendations of where a local might eat or what a local does, we know we can trust the answers. I love history and I feel each and every tour guide we've met is me in other skin! They always fill the allotted time and I know they would have that much more to share if time permitted.
The Danube cruise highlights Hapsburg rule for more than a hundred years. Churches, palaces, cities: all are full of Hapsburg projects. On the Danube cruise one visits many Catholic cathedrals and learns about the interactions between the Roman Popes and the European monarchs. On the Rhine cruise there were many cathedrals which are now Protestant and the history of cities is influenced by the Reformation of the church and men like Martin Luther.
This cruise was also blessed with unbelievable weather for the end of March! We sat on the upper deck in pleasant 70Fahrenheit weather with just our short sleeves. It was so calm the day we sailed along the Danube canal that we were able to play cards in the open air!
Four of our couples traveling together also renewed wedding vows one day. The captain and concierge were most helpful when we shared our plan to do this when we boarded the ship in Passau. Right away, they said they knew a perfect part of the cruise to do so, and our pictures of the event have a beautiful castle in the background. Unfortunately, the photographer (one of the couples not renewing vows) had her computer stolen soon after returning to the States, so some thief stole the physical memory of that event. We do have beautiful pictures in our minds though, and we do have our spouses to share memories with each day!
A VRC is also a very relaxing trip, in our opinion. Unpacking once for an entire week is wonderful. You do NOT have to bring a dozen outfits. Seasoned travelers were on both cruises: I noticed quickly on our first cruise that women wore an outfit a couple times or mixed and matched. Men wore jeans or casual slacks and shirts a few times. So don't overpack, it's just a hassle you don't want to deal with when you are traveling to the ship from the airport and back to it when your cruise is done. Again, let me urge you to PACK LIGHT! Almost everyone wore jeans on day tours and casual dress for dinner at night.
Because of the small number of passengers and their decorum, one can also enjoy resting in the large lounges as well as one's stateroom. Watching the landscapes change as you sail a river is a remarkable thing! Here vineyards, there a cathedral, look a crumbling castle, oh there's a train... There's just so much to see and savor and the floor to ceiling glass walls make sightseeing so easy.
Our Rhine River cruise was in late November and we visited Christmas markets in each city. Truthfully, for us that got to be a bit stale by day four. We are not shoppers (I tell family and friends they have to GO and SEE Europe for themselves, I am not bringing bits and pieces of it home as gifts in my luggage). We asked for alternative things to do and tour guides were more than happy to share other delightful ways to spend a day in a city. We've also seen a couple cities with friends who live in them and skipped the guided tours.
As I am writing this review, I am saddened to know that yesterday (Dec 11, 2018) an act of terrorism occurred in Strausburg, which was a city and Christmas market we visited in 2013. How sad that our world is so broken and some souls are driven to such acts of violence. I conclude this long review by stating that I believe visiting other places and learning about local customs and enjoying them without judging them, is a lasting treasure one receives after going on a VIking RIver Cruise or generally traveling abroad. You aren't just a tourist with VRC if you take the time to talk to your tour guides and the ship's crew. Instead you know in your heart you have expanded your "family" with new friends. Even if we never see a person again, the memories live in our hearts and minds and we are forever aware of other ways of seeing life, of experiencing a day, of being human.
We are dairy farmers. We travel when we find great deals. Both these VR cruises were priced right. A week of travel that includes transportation, lodging, meals, drinks, tours, and entertainments for less than $1500-1999/person is a great deal. We book the least expensive cabins: on our first cruise the booking agent tried to persuade me to upgrade. "Why?" I asked him. "It sounds like all I am going to do is sleep in my cabin because VRC has lots for me to do all day." He agreed we would be entertained all day if we wished. We were; and I see no reason to book a "better cabin" because really a bed is a bed and a shower is a shower. I watch VRC emails and mailings constantly. I am waiting to find the next great deal and see more of the world while river cruising with Viking! Read Less

My husband and I went on Viking River Cruise’s “Christmas in Germany” cruise this past December. This was my first river cruise, but I have been on many ocean cruises and traveled throughout Europe.
We are in our early thirties, ... Read More

My husband and I went on Viking River Cruise’s “Christmas in Germany” cruise this past December. This was my first river cruise, but I have been on many ocean cruises and traveled throughout Europe.
We are in our early thirties, so I was anxious about going on this cruise as I know that the passengers on these journeys are usually older, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a younger bunch on this ship, perhaps because of the holidays. There were plenty of retirees, but also couples in their thirties, forties, and fifties, some with adolescent children. We never felt uncomfortable, and since we are not big “party animals” we thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment (local musicians and craftsmen) and port talks. Our cruise director Sam was wonderful and one of the best I have ever met! I expect him to join the ranks for Carnival’s famed director John Heald.
We booked our air travel through Viking Air and flew Lufthansa from Atlanta to Frankfurt and United from Cologne to Munich, Munich to D.C., and D.C. to Atlanta. I was displeased at the number of stops on our return trip, but the times were acceptable as we did not have to leave the ship until 6:30 AM the morning of our departure and since we received our tickets in October (three months before departure), I was able to secure good seat assignments.
The main problem I encountered on the entire trip Viking Air’s lack of support when our flight from Frankfurt to Nuremberg. Upon our arrival in Frankfurt, we discovered that our next and last flight to Nuremberg was cancelled. After speaking with the airline (Lufthansa) and being told that there were no other flights to Nuremberg that day and that the only option was to take the high-speed train with vouchers offered by the airline. This was concerning because our Viking transport bus was supposed to meet us at the Nuremberg airport upon arrival, not at the train station. I immediately called Viking at the number provided in my travel material and spoke with a man who seemed to be bothered by my call and told me that if the airline cancelled the flight, there was nothing Viking could do as the bus would be waiting at the airport and that I must find my own transportation to the ship. He did say that Viking would reimburse the taxi fare from the train station to the port. Wanting more information, I called back and spoke with a different person who had more information than him (she had been alerted that multiple flights had been cancelled that day), but she was not able to offer any additional help. We took the train, which had a station in the Frankfurt airport, to Nuremberg and flagged a taxi to take us to the port.
Our situation turned out fine and we made it to the ship (three hours later than intended), but we made it in plenty of time. I was disappointed in Viking’s support during this situation as I understood that one of the advantages to booking air through Viking was to has assistance with any air and transportation issues. If we were handicapped or not well-traveled, this could have been a big problem, resulting in us not getting to the ship in time. I still recommend booking air with Viking as was a significant discount, do keep in mind that booking with them does not necessarily mean that they will be able to assist with any issues once you have started the trip.
Onboard service, however, was excellent! There was always a room steward, waiter, or guest services manager available to meet any and all needs.
DINING
We dined in the Aquavit Terrace several nights and the waiters were very attentive. They even humored us and brought entrees from the dining room menu to us and another table! There are tables for two and four inside of the terrace and even more options outside when the weather is warm. Each night there is a different entrée on the menu, but the starters and salads were the same. I suggest that they provide the same “Always Available” dining room menu in the Aquavit Terrace for passengers who want a quiet, intimate, shorter dinner experience.
The dining room service was also great and the food was good, but there was not a big variety of types of food from which to choose. Understandably, much of the menu is German-type food and one night is themed with traditional German dishes and musical performers in the dining room.
CABIN
Our French Balcony cabin on Deck 2 was wonderful! There is plenty of room for two people, the floor to ceiling windows (with a door that slides open – there is a rail to prevent falls since there is not a balcony) make the room feel even larger. The bathroom is completely tiled and the heated floors felt so good after a cold day. Bottled water is replaced daily, there is a self-service machine on each deck (which I prefer as opposed to having to track down a cabin steward like on ocean cruise ships), and the mini fridge is surprisingly cold. The beds are comfortable, topped with soft white duvets and plenty of pillows.
ITINERARY
We cruised from December 22nd to December 29th and took the “Christmas in Germany” route from Nuremberg to Cologne, stopping in Bamberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, and Koblenz. If you choose to cruise during Christmas, be aware that most shops, restaurants, and historic sites are closed for much of Christmas Eve and all day on Christmas and the day after Christmas. I expected the closures on Christmas Eve and Christmas, but not the day after Christmas. Nevertheless, Viking was able to arrange some fun stops along the way, including docking on Christmas Eve in a small town so that passengers could attend Christmas Eve services at local churches. Because of work and school obligations, the Christmas holidays are a convenient time for many families to vacation; however, because of the extended closures in Germany, I would not recommend traveling during this time, unless one is planning to an extended trip - staying multiple days before or after Christmas, instead of just traveling through the week of Christmas. Read Less

Third and last Viking cruise. Scheduled for the Var, boarded the Kara instead and then after a couple days packed and boarded the Tor. High water was again the reason given although the competitor Thomas Hardy made it just fine. Viking ... Read More

Third and last Viking cruise. Scheduled for the Var, boarded the Kara instead and then after a couple days packed and boarded the Tor. High water was again the reason given although the competitor Thomas Hardy made it just fine. Viking must be cutting back as staff on both vessels seemed tired, overworked and not chipper. Christmas markets seemed redundant and that is why Viking is no longer offering their Christmas in Germany. Our fellow passengers were not thrilled as well. One day we arrived in Koblenz, the shops were closed and we had to leave before the market opened. Very strange planning. We spent a couple of days in Frankfurt in lieu of Miltenberg and Wurzburg, two charming sounding towns. Because of the route change, we spent an inordinate amount of time in buses. The weather was unpleasant, no fault of Viking, but we were only able to spend a couple of dreary hours on the top of the ship, that area that looks so charming on Viking commercials. What else....it would be so nice if the food served was reflective of the area in which we were traveling. While a half-hearted attempt was made, it was just that, half-hearted. The wine served with meals was very cheap and with Vikings buying power they could do better. Now the positives, the tour guides were collectively outstanding, well selected, charming and knowledgeable. That is obviously a major component of a cruise and this exceeded our expectations. Finally, Germany is so steeped in history, it exudes charm, locals are congenial and it is a wonderful destination. Read Less

We'd been wanting to try river cruising and this was our first. We took a Viking ocean cruise to the Baltic last year and absolutely loved it.
As expected, the service was above average, but the food was not as good as we ... Read More

We'd been wanting to try river cruising and this was our first. We took a Viking ocean cruise to the Baltic last year and absolutely loved it.
As expected, the service was above average, but the food was not as good as we thought it should be. We had a veranda cabin, which we were unfortunately unable to enjoy because of the cold weather. The cabin was smaller than on an ocean vessel, but we knew it would be. The included tours were as expected and the optional tours we took to Heidelberg and Rothenburg were very enjoyable.
We loved cruising the Rhine and seeing all the castles on the hills.
Passengers were very friendly and many had been on multiple river cruises before.
I don't know that we will river cruise again - we think we just like all the additional perks of ocean cruising, which Viking does exceptionally. Read Less

We loved it.....no more needs to be said
Everything was great....the guides were especially knowledgeable The areas to see were perfect.
The food was great...especially the omlets for breakfast...always have them
We met ... Read More

We loved it.....no more needs to be said
Everything was great....the guides were especially knowledgeable The areas to see were perfect.
The food was great...especially the omlets for breakfast...always have them
We met some wonderful people & will see them here in the USA.
We are nor scheduled for another cruise, # 4841166, sailing from Switerland to Holland on the Rhine...we leave on 5/28/18 & are really looking forward to the trip. We will stopover in England to see our daughter, her English husband & our two grandsons, ages 9 & 7
Hopefully the weather will be better as the days will be longer than we had in November
Viking is a perfect cruise for us as we like to travel by ourselves so that we can meet different people & share experiences with them Read Less

Viking had been recommended to us by so many people, we decided we had to try them. We arrived in Nuremberg a few days early and were so happy we did. It was a wonderful city to use as a base from which to explore several others. ... Read More

Viking had been recommended to us by so many people, we decided we had to try them. We arrived in Nuremberg a few days early and were so happy we did. It was a wonderful city to use as a base from which to explore several others. Although Viking didn't offer a pre-cruise package in Nuremberg, my husband went on-line and found a wonderful boutique hotel across from the main train station.
Once we were on the cruise, we were amazed by Viking. We loved having the free tours in each port, which gave us a great tour of the city/town, but also time for shopping and exploring on our own. We had no problem with the language barrier, as so many of the Germans, Austrians and Hungarians we talked to spoke English.
The food was good on-board and the complementary wines at dinner were an added bonus. There wasn't assigned meal seating, so you were able to move around each day if you wished. Read Less

We have been on numerous ocean cruises with different lines. We thought the price would be comparable given that the air and excursions were included with wine and beer. We had some problems with the air as an airline cancelled one leg of ... Read More

We have been on numerous ocean cruises with different lines. We thought the price would be comparable given that the air and excursions were included with wine and beer. We had some problems with the air as an airline cancelled one leg of the trip so the flight plans were changed completely. We had a difficult time communicating with our agent at Online Vacation Center so for our next river cruise we are dealing directly with Viking and arrangements are vastly smoother. Pickup at the airport was easy as was the trip to the boat. Baggage was looked after from airport to cabin and once on the boat we were directed to where we were treated to lunch with a local beer and wine.
You had the immediate feeling you were going go be well looked after. The room (balcony) was immaculate and better than the online videos showed. Lots of storage space, heated bathroom floors, and well laid out. There were only 190 passengers on board so getting to know fellow passengers was easy unlike crowded ocean cruises. Within a day we had latched on to two couples, one from Texas, the other from Wisconsin, we are from Canada. Meals were as good as or better than first rate restaurants we have been at in numerous countries. Wine and beer were local as were some of the menu selections. Staff was wonderful and went out of their way to help you with anything. Excursions were informative and optional ones were many to choose from. I recommend staying away from ones that are too long as lots of time is spent on the bus. Example: 9 hour tour, 4 hours on the bus. We had lots of time to explore with our new friends and were always given clear instructions as to how to get back. Headphones were great and you could hear everything without being close to the guide. The ride as very smooth and most times we hadn't realized we had left port. Can't wait till our next cruise, Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. Another tip, go at least 2 days early to get acclimatized. We are also going to go to Paris and Amsterdam for a few days each. You're there, only going on a cruise for 8 days is too short a time for such a long flight. Read Less

This was my first River Cruise and I felt that the process in making the arrangements with my agent went very smoothly. She made the whole experience very easy and answered all of my questions on a timely basis. The trip itself to and ... Read More

This was my first River Cruise and I felt that the process in making the arrangements with my agent went very smoothly. She made the whole experience very easy and answered all of my questions on a timely basis. The trip itself to and from Europe went very smoothly and our connections were spot on. We were met at the Budapest airport by a great team from Viking Tours and transported directly to the ship. The excursions that were included with the cruise were outstanding. The guides in each city were interesting and very knowledgeable. The meals were excellent and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. I thought the cost was very reasonable considering the inclusion of the air fare. We added a stop in Paris on the way home for an additional $200 which I thought was very inexpensive. I would definitely take another Viking River Cruise in the future and I have recommended it to several of my friends. Read Less

We chose this cruise because it provided us with an opportunity to visit places we had heard of and always wanted to travel to. There are not enough superlatives to describe just how wonderful and amazing our cruise was. Accommodations ... Read More

We chose this cruise because it provided us with an opportunity to visit places we had heard of and always wanted to travel to. There are not enough superlatives to describe just how wonderful and amazing our cruise was. Accommodations were luxurious yet cozy. The staff was so welcoming, friendly, patient and helpful. On the last night of our cruise, our purser (Sorin) said that many of us would want to take members of the staff home with them. He was absolutely right!! Gabor and Doru took fabulous care of us! The food was delicious -- American favorites if we were feeling homesick for tried and true comfort food but also local cuisine and wine to enjoy and learn about. The excursions were well thought out and gave us a true feel for each place we visited. Additionally, the guides for the excursions were knowledgeable and professional. We have already booked our next Viking river cruise! Read Less

Previously, I had been on one ocean cruise and did not prove to be a good sailor - green the whole week. With some trepidation, I tried the Romantic Danube cruise by Viking and it was a complete success! There is no dressing to impress on ... Read More

Previously, I had been on one ocean cruise and did not prove to be a good sailor - green the whole week. With some trepidation, I tried the Romantic Danube cruise by Viking and it was a complete success! There is no dressing to impress on this river cruise (as there was on the ocean cruise by a different company). Casual comfort is the way to go. Now I know how to pack for next time - jeans, shorts, simple slacks, maybe a simple skirt or dress. Very relaxed. The size of the ship (about 100 guests) made for a wonderful ambiance. The passengers were very friendly and social, taking opportunities to meet and dine with others. The staff were so warm and hospitable, looking after our every need. Once, when we missed dinner, they prepared food for us. Beverages and snacks were always available. All of the meals were light and nutritious.The excursions were so well organized, interesting and used such charming, professional guides. Wished we had gone to Budapest 3 days early so we could have explored it in more detail but loved what we saw. The Gottweig Abbey in Austria was very memorable. Sailing in the Wachau Valley on a gorgeous fall day was so beautiful.I will never forget the Nuremberg War Trials excursion. Take advantage of the daily panoramic excursions. The 3 day extension in Prague was wonderful.This was my first river cruise...but NOT my last! Read Less

Of all the cruise lines, we chose Viking based on recommendation from friends and neighbours and they did not disappoint. They are a first class company and the people they employ display the same qualities. They were extremely well ... Read More

Of all the cruise lines, we chose Viking based on recommendation from friends and neighbours and they did not disappoint. They are a first class company and the people they employ display the same qualities. They were extremely well trained and knowledgeable about the history of the countries we travelled to and they all went out of their way to ensure we had the best possible experience. The ship was beautiful and the food was great. They were very well organized and embarkation and disembarkation was very smooth. The tours were great and very interesting and well organized. All the staff were very friendly and it was apparent our needs came first. The cabins were well organized and the rooms as well as the ship was spotless.The entertainment provided was very good and it was nice to get some of the local culture.Overall everything was above our expectations and we definitely travel with Viking again in the near future. Read Less